Segments in this Video

Gender Equality and Religion(02:08)

Joan Smith describes how religions remain patriarchal. At the Western Wall in Jerusalem tradition dictates that men and women are separated and only men can wear prayer shawls or read from the Torah.

"Women of the Wall"(02:08)

Riki Shapira and the organization want women to be allowed to pray at the Western Wall without limitations. Rabbi Aryeh Stern, the chief Rabbi of Jerusalem, explains the natural divide between men and women and it extends into Judaism. Elena Maryles Sztokman describes how the number of Orthodox Jews in Israel's government inhibits feminism and the growing influence of religion in gender equality.

Mea Shearim(02:37)

Haredi Jews complain about outsiders who walk in their neighborhood with immodest clothing and erect signs dictating the rules in the area, which have no legal basis. Shapira fought and won a case resulting in Mehadrin bus lines being canceled. The community yells and throws stones at Shapira and her companion as they try to leave Mea Shearim.

Blowing the Shofar(02:53)

Shapira insists that her daughters are treated as equals. In 2014, the "Women of the Wall" won the right to read the Torah at the Western Wall. Visitors who find the custom blasphemous interrupt Shapira and her companions by blowing whistles or arguing with them.

Fastest Growing Religion(02:12)

Asra Nomani loves her religion but wants gender equality. Jihadists linked to al Qaeda abducted and beheaded Daniel Pearl while he was staying at her house in Pakistan. The journalist reflected how the militants were saying the same prayers as she.

Nomani's Liberal Muslim Activism(02:37)

After returning to America, Nomani sought solace in a mosque only to be told to use the back door and remain in the segregated area for women and began to protest the discrimination. Sister Maureen Fiedler explains how civil courts cannot govern religious institutions. Experts argue the merits and legality of separation in mosques.

Nomani's Protest Garners Worldwide Attention(04:13)

Nomani asked Amina Wadud to lead evening prayers for both men and women at the Islamic center. Watch footage of the controversy that surrounded the service. Ify Okoye explains why Nomani is perceived as a role model for Muslim women.

Women in Christianity(02:01)

The Church of England recently ordained the first female Bishop. Pope Francis believes the church cannot consecrate female priests. Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger only wants to serve the people of God.

Becoming a Priest(03:38)

After waiting for decades for the Catholic Church to change its opinion, Mayr-Lumetzberger found a priest who would consecrate the "Danube Seven." The Vatican excommunicated the women. Mayr-Lumetzberger travels to Buffalo in order to ordain Myra Brown as a deacon.

Ordaining a Deacon(03:20)

Watch Mayr-Lumetzberger consecrate Brown at Spiritus Christi Church in Buffalo. The Vatican removed Father James Callan after he allowed women to officiate at masses.

Gender Equality Movement(02:18)

Inna Shevchenko leads Femen, a political movement that wants to separate the church from women's rights. The activist fled Ukraine after protesting Pussy Riot's arrest at a Moscow cathedral. France granted her exile.

Radical Protests(02:38)

Femen demonstrate topless to generate media attention. The reactions from the government convinced Shevchenko to keep protesting. At a protest in Notre Dame, officials turned off the lights and beat the participants.

Expanding the Movement(02:26)

Femen recently opened a branch in Iraq. An Islamic extremist opened fire at an event where Shevchenko was speaking in Copenhagen— listen to an audio recording of the event. The activist takes pride in the resistance movement.

In Thailand(02:16)

Even though Buddha taught gender equality, women are forbidden from becoming monks. Dhammananda Bhikkunki describes how she felt the calling. The two major branches of Buddhism include Theravada and Mahayana.

Becoming a Monk(02:19)

Dhammananda traveled to Sri Lanka to become ordained, but now runs her own monastery for women. According to Theravada Buddhists, the last Bhikkhuni died in the 13th century. Dhammananda left a profitable career as a television presenter and academic to pursue Buddhism.

Proving Themselves Worthy(03:08)

Monasteries rely upon donations to subsist and Dhammananda's has won the approval of the community. The monk wants to show that their monastery does not provide any threat to the mainstream Buddhist religion.

Description

The third episode follows the stories of women who are working to promote gender equality within their own religious faiths. The episode follows lawyer and Orthodox Jew, Riki Shapira, and Muslim journalist Asra Nomani, both campaigning for women’s religious rights and the right to pray alongside men; Christine Mayr-Lumetzberger, an excommunicated Catholic bishop determined to lead within her own faith; Inna Shevchenko, founder of feminist activist group FEMEN; and the Buddhist monk, Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, who is on a mission to build up bhikkhuni sangha (female monkhood) in Thailand, where it is illegal for women to be monks.